Four Winds Casino Resort
Aug 21st, 2007 by Shaun Carter
I just got home from a visit to the new casino in southwest Michigan in the city of New Buffalo, the Four Winds Casino & Resort. I enjoy making regular visits to the area’s casinos, primarily within the state of Michigan or just past the southern border into Indiana. The Four Winds opened to the public on August 7, 2007 and is operated by Lakes Entertainment (LACO), retained by the Pokagon Band of Native Americans to manage the property.
Gaming
The casino floor is quite large compared to most other casinos in the area, spanning over 130,000 square feet. The gaming offerings include over 3,000 slot machines and 100 table games. For all you poker players out there, the Four Winds features the Midwest’s only World Poker Tour Poker Room, offering players a chance to earn a $10,000 satellite tournament position in the famous World Poker Tour.
“If the Four Winds Casino Resort were located in Las Vegas, it would be the second largest casino in terms of gaming positions,” said Lyle Berman, CEO Lakes Entertainment.
The slot machines offered range from penny all the way up to $100 in the High Limit area, which is very well accommodated and offers very personal drink service and snacks. Within two minutes of settling in at a High Limit slot machine I was offered a drink. Although my place of choice is the craps pit in the middle of the casino.
“It (Four Winds) offers a full complement of slot machines, including progressive slots linked to other Native American casinos, ensuring the highest jackpots in the region. Also featured are approximately 100 table games including Blackjack, Craps, No Way Craps, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Crazy Four, Let It Ride, Mini and Midi Baccarat, Rapid Roulette and Roulette. We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the Pokagon Band on this first class property.” – Lyle Berman
Be sure to join the “W Club” when you first arrive at the property to take advantage of the many comps and promotions available. On my visit they were offering a $10 comp for slot play, plus a 25% rebate for all of your slot play during the first week of membership in the W Club. The rebate is loaded onto your card as comp dollars after the end of your first week of membership.
Restaurants
There are several restaurants on the property, six to be exact, each offering their own selection of specialties. “Copper Rock Steakhouse has your number with 300 wines and steaks aged 28-days. Good taste never sleeps at Willowbrook Café, open 24 hours a day. Other exciting dining experiences include Silver Creek Bistro, Timbers Fast Food and Deli, Grab n Go, and SWIMM, the specialty seafood house at Four Winds.” – FourWindsCasino.com
I had a cheeseburger at Timbers and it was quite good. The only thing I didn’t care for was that I was asked how I wanted my burger cooked, so I expected it to be made to order. But what I got was what seemed to be a pre-cooked burger (half-pound, easy) that was just warmed up on the grill. The Buffet at Four Winds is also offering an $18 all you can eat crab leg dinner right now.
Hotel
The adjoining hotel at Four Winds features 165 rooms whose amenities include, flat screen high definition televisions, complimentary Starbucks coffee, high quality bedding and granite countertops. Some upgrades available in one of the 98 suites include whirlpool tubs, surround sound, 60″ Television, wet bar, microwave and more. I did not stay in the hotel or find out about rates, but I imagine they are on the pricey side compared with other accommodations in the area. However I am certain there are no comparable establishments within ten or twenty miles of the resort.
Overall I had a great time and won some money at the craps tables and was treated exceptionally well by every single Four Winds staff member I came into contact with. I’m not sure why there were no security personnel at the casino entrances as their is at every other casino I have been to, but I wasn’t carded during my entire visit – and I’m a 22 year old that looks 18. I look forward to going back to Four Winds as it is the best casino I have been to yet and it’s the closest to my home as well, just an hour and fifteen minute drive.
Four Winds is a Class 3 gaming establishment and the minimum age to gamble on the property is 21 years old. You can contact the Casino by calling 1-866-4Winds1.
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